USAID MITRA KUNCI INITIATIVE QUARTERLY REPORT

The initiative is implemented under the Youth Power IDIQ Contract AID-OAA-I-15-00014 and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The program is led by DAI Global, LLC, and is focused on five key tasks: partnership engagement and knowledge sharing, leveraging public and private sector resources, employment and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, project implementer results, and feature story. Task I: Partnership Mapping and Baseline Information Collection involved the identification of key stakeholders and partners, as well as the collection of baseline data on the current state of inclusive workforce development in Indonesia. Task II: Management of Non-U.S. Led Project Implementers focused on coordinating meetings with project implementers, conducting quarterly monitoring visits, and providing technical assistance to partners. Task III: Provision of Technical Assistance to Key Stakeholders, Partners, and Non-US Led PIs involved the development of a Road Map and Business Model for Community BLKs, the support of a platform for Community BLKs, and the launch of the platform and training in its use. Task IV: Partnership Engagement and Knowledge Sharing focused on the implementation of the Mitra Kunci Communication Strategy, regular coordination meetings, and advocacy for regional planning and budgeting processes. Task V: Leverage Public and Private Sector Resources involved equipping university students with entrepreneurship skills, engaging the private sector to improve GESI and inclusive workforce development, and disseminating GESI guidelines for private sector partners. Task VI: Employment and Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities focused on gathering accurate data on persons with disabilities at the community level, expanding access to data on internships, jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities, and empowering disabled persons organizations at the district level. The program has made significant progress in achieving its expected results, with notable achievements including the development of a Road Map and Business Model for Community BLKs, the launch of a platform for Community BLKs, and the expansion of access to data on internships, jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities for persons with disabilities. The program has also engaged with key stakeholders, including the private sector, universities, and disabled persons organizations, to promote inclusive workforce development and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. In Central Java, the program has followed up on SINERGI activities, while in other provinces, the program has worked with APINDO and other partners to promote inclusive workforce development and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. The program has also recognized and awarded inclusive champions, companies, and organizations for their contributions to promoting inclusive workforce development and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities. Overall, the USAID Mitra Kunci Initiative has made significant progress in promoting inclusive workforce development and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities in Indonesia, and has established itself as a key player in the country's efforts to promote disability inclusion and economic empowerment.